La Ferté-Bernard
La Ferté-Bernard is a commune in the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region in north-western France.
History
La Ferté-Bernard owes its origin and name to a stronghold built about the 11th century and afterwards held by the family of Bernard. In 1424 it did not succumb to the English troops until after a four months' siege. It belonged in the 16th century to the family of Guise and supported the League, but was captured by the royal forces in 1590.La Ferté-Bernard was involved in the 1906 Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France, the world's first motoring Grand Prix. The D97 towards Le Mans and the D1 towards Vibraye and Saint-Calais formed two sides of the triangular course.